Today we’d like to introduce you to Prudence Lin.
Prudence, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Overall, I would consider myself a style (with a vintage emphasis) and beauty creative. The platform I mainly use is Instagram @theprudenceprofile.
My creative journey began with an interest in the art of style and fashion. Growing up, I looked to my grandmother as the ultimate style icon. She was the picture of “put-together perfection” from her silk dresses to her red lipstick and her enviable jewelry collection. I would study her clothing, scarves, shoes–all the pieces in her wardrobe and admire their craftsmanship and detail.
Throughout my teenage and college years, I would experiment with textures, silhouettes, and color in my personal style. That interest expanded into other areas of expression including beauty and skincare (which I still am enthusiastic about). Like many of my peers, those years I fell into the cycle of fast fashion.
After college and the several years since, I’ve returned to my love for vintage (specifically the 30s, 40s, and 50s). I remember my first love of well-made, detailed, made-to-last vintage items that initially sparked my love for style growing up. Nowadays, items that I add to my wardrobe are 95% secondhand, sustainable, and/or small business. Although far from perfect, I’m a more thoughtful consumer. My love for putting together a look still remains–I believe that putting on an outfit can be transformative. With the additional layer of vintage, pieces are given a new life. I love the story and the history behind such pieces. I love sharing my current style inspirations as well as some skincare/makeup standouts with the purpose of encouraging others to seek after what makes them happy from a style and beauty perspective. Also, I like to encourage others to give vintage a chance; it doesn’t mean it will end up looking like a retro costume (although there’s nothing wrong with that). There is a way to mix the vintage and the contemporary that can feel fresh and nostalgic all at the same time. I love that happy medium.
Along this journey of conscious consumerism and secondhand love, I think it’s opened me up to being more creative, especially in light of the pandemic. Staying at home has the provided opportunity for me to explore new skills I’ve always wanted to learn but never had time or never knew how to start. For instance, I’ve wanted to sew ever since I was a kid; I’ve started to teach myself to sew and knit recently! I was fortunate to be gifted a sewing machine and notions from the 70s, and have joyfully learning. I even acquired sewing patterns (vintage, of course) that I will tackle in the future.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Along this creative journey, there have definitely been times of doubt and self-consciousness. I didn’t always have people around me that shared the same level of creative interests as I did. I worried that I came off as too image-focused and vain. I put pressure on myself to exude an image of “having it all together” with the “right body image.” It took time and a richness of life experience to release myself of those false obligations. Of course, this is an ongoing process, but I’m happy with how I carry myself on The Prudence Profile; it reflects who I am and my current interests. I can geek out about my pandemic garden, a lot of 1940s-50s sheer blouses I scored on eBay, and my go-to daily sunscreen (the Japanese Biore Watery Essence, in case you’re wondering).
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I run The Prudence Profile, which originated as a blog, but I now mainly operate on Instagram (@theprudenceprofile). The Prudence Profile focuses on style with an emphasis on vintage/secondhand as well as curated skincare and makeup content. I aim to encourage others to dress happy, whatever that means to them. Through this platform, I have been able to connect with a diversity of voices with similar interests. The vintage loving community has been one that is supportive and a source of inspiration. I have had the opportunity to collaborate on a couple of styled shoots.
Taken from the first question: I believe that putting on an outfit can be transformative. With the additional layer of vintage, pieces are given a new life. I love the story and the history behind such pieces. I love sharing my current style inspirations as well as some skincare/makeup standouts with the purpose of encouraging others to seek after what makes them happy from a style and beauty perspective. Also, I like to encourage others to give vintage a chance; it doesn’t mean it will end up looking like a retro costume (although there’s nothing wrong with that). There is a way to mix the vintage and the contemporary that can feel fresh and nostalgic all at the same time. I love that happy medium.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a relatively shy kid, but I had a kind heart and cared a lot about people. I was always interested in creating things. I remember hand sewing my own clothes using a thread and needle; it was never wearable but the process of creating something by myself was so fulfilling.
I think my love of vintage originated from my love for history and literature. I was an avid reader; borrowing stacks of library books, including non-fiction and fictional books about historical events. I consumed all the classical novels, from Jane Austen to Steinbeck to Alice Walker. I even wrote my own short stories and poems.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprudenceprofile
Image Credit:
Joy Kamel
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